[Clive McDonald]

I need inspiring. Only the fittest, cleverest and most nimble are going to survive next year.It's the bleakest outlook for eighty years and this slump is going to take some busting.So how do we do it? What have you got up your sleeve?

There's price, volume and quality, and of course if you've got a special trick that makes you unique, then that too.It's simple enough on the face of it, but what are you going to do to knock 2011 out of the ground?

[Neil Gornall]

I need inspiring. Only the fittest, cleverest and most nimble are going to survive next year.It's the bleakest outlook for eighty years and this slump is going to take some busting.So how do we do it? What have you gotup ypur sleeve?

There's price, volume and quality, and of course if you've got a special trick that makes you unique, then that too.It's simple enough on the face of it, but what are you going to do to knock 2011 out of the ground?

But if I tell you (and hundreds of others) it wont be special or unique anymore. some things are best kept under ones hat 

[AuRavelling79]

Stop panicking slumpy!

90% of us will still be working at the end of 2011. You've got a 9/10 chance of still working.

Maybe we won't grow our rounds as quick, maybe we wont increase our prices - and yes, maybe we might lose a few custies.

But I bet that if you go to work in the same way then you'll make similar money as you did last year.

Chin up!

[Danny Guest]

Im looking to smash to targets thats been set for canvassing and already on the way with 1 new customer today while working for 2011...

Im just eating dinner then im out canvassing. The best thing to do is to stop worrying or complaining about the economy and accept the situation.

All the best for 2011!

Danny

[sgibsoncleaning]

well said danny. things are going to be tight this year, we will lose customers, we will get new ones. best not to moan about it and just get on and replace lost work

[Ian101]

I need inspiring. Only the fittest, cleverest and most nimble are going to survive next year.It's the bleakest outlook for eighty years and this slump is going to take some busting.So how do we do it? What have you got up your sleeve?

There's price, volume and quality, and of course if you've got a special trick that makes you unique, then that too.It's simple enough on the face of it, but what are you going to do to knock 2011 out of the ground?

Tenacity .... work hard and smart ... and worry about my own little world ... thats about it ... like the saying goes "it aint rocket science" ... sometimes u can get too caught up in the mass hysteria of recession headlines .... dont get me wrong it is tough out there but no empty car parking spaces in my local massive retail shopping parks over the Christmas period so people are still spending ... oh and lots of new houses going up in my area so perhaps not as bad as the headlines are making out.

My special trick ? aint got one ... dont need one just have the right attitude I think which is positive and prepared to put the effort in

[JoeMax]

Im just eating dinner then im out canvassing. The best thing to do is to stop worrying or complaining about the economy and accept the situation.

Canvassing in the dark on Bank Holiday Monday?!!?!

[windiewasher]

Just undercut you can get loads of custys that way  
Another way  to get custys if u are wfp is send leaflets around that say health and safety have banned ladders
Easy.

[TomCrowther]

Mine is to grow the number of domestic customers steadily and get more from each customer. In other businesses, they are always looking to "maximise the income from each account" so in our world, that means selling more services to each customer. I am offering wc, guttering services, power washing of decking, patios, outside furniture and drain clearing. The power washing is fairly new to me but have done a few and got a couple more to do. Guttering is going OK and yet to do any clearing of drains.
Get some leaflets printed and let all your customers know what you can do for them. I think they would rather deal with someone they already know and trust than a stanger. The additional work can be done on the wet days or weekends if you are pushed for time.
Partner up with another local window cleaner and share the cost of new machinery and then share the work?

[Danny Guest]

Everyone is in  

This year will test a lot of businesses but those that knuckle down and ride it out will the stronger and maybe wiser.

I like to set high goals and challenge myself in meeting those targets. People rarely test themselves and when bad times come like this thats when they get tested.

Im not saying im in a better position then anyone else but im looking forward to this year and growing my business to a new level.

Danny

[Danny Guest]

Everyone is in  

This year will test a lot of businesses but those that knuckle down and ride it out will the stronger and maybe wiser. Always keep positive and never dwell on a problem or a negative thought.

I like to set high goals and challenge myself in meeting those targets. People rarely test themselves and when bad times come like this thats when they get tested.

Im not saying im in a better position then anyone else but im looking forward to this year and growing my business to a new level.

Danny

[ronnie paton]

danny sat it again didnt quite gradp it

[woody1]

Just undercut you can get loads of custys that way 
Another way  to get custys if u are wfp is send leaflets around that say health and safety have banned ladders
Easy.

yeah great idea until a mob off windys break your legs for putting them out of buissness and with broken legs they will have the work your be jobless 

[Lee Pryor]

i am looking to franchise my business in 2011 for which I am almost ready. In addition to that I have my secret project x to launch online in april helping us as well as other window cleaners in surrey and sussex gain new customers in a way thats totally new to the industry.

[Neil Gornall]

i am looking to franchise my business in 2011 for which I am almost ready. In addition to that I have my secret project x to launch online in april helping us as well as other window cleaners in surrey and sussex gain new customers in a way thats totally new to the industry.

Lee, If it works as well as you hope I think you should try Lincolnshire next 

[freshwaterwindows]

your worried about a slump theres a lot worse than that to come havent you been watching the news floods in australia poss the worst the floods in pakistan the fires the earthquakes volcanic eruptions this worlds had it.Just keep on cleaning windows and providing whilst you can were heading for a world wide collapse monetary and ecological.theres only one answer.

[Lee Pryor]

i am looking to franchise my business in 2011 for which I am almost ready. In addition to that I have my secret project x to launch online in april helping us as well as other window cleaners in surrey and sussex gain new customers in a way thats totally new to the industry.

Lee, If it works as well as you hope I think you should try Lincolnshire next 

I am hoping to take it to a national level, this year is just a pilot, I have an investor ready with the money to go national if I can produce decent figures on a local scale.

[woody1]

lee you said your ambition was to give me all you buissness as you like so much, i am so hurt now

 

[chopsie]

My ambition is to make it until the end of January, its not looking promising at the moment, If the weather comes that is predicted I think I will be finished, I am really feeling the pinch now 

[Danny Guest]

Ive just been canvassing and got 8 customers.

3 to start next 2 weeks and 5 to do tomorrow. I normally only get 3-4 a night but i found a street that had a whole family living in it.

Things are only as bad as you let them get. Maybe its just a motivation problem with the recent weather thats getting people down. You will probably feel better when you get a week or twos cleaning done

Good luck anyway especially slump

Danny